Lesson 7

Question 1

Mearsheimer, definition of order

Answer 1

“An “order” is an organized group of
international institutions

MEARSHEIMER’S

Question 2

Mearsheimer, definition of insitutions

Answer 2

Effectively rules that the great powers devise and
agree to follow

NATO
EU
Paris Agreement

Question 3

Mearsheimer, definition of membership in International Order

Answer 3

Includes all major powers (ideally all states) and aims
to support cooperation between states

Question 4

Mearscheimerøs definition of membership in bounded order

Answer 4

Limited membership; at least one great power outside; often regional and aimed at supporting great powers’ security competition against other “bounded” orders; requires internal cooperation

Question 5

Meascheimer’s types of International Orders

Answer 5

**Realistic: **Bi- or multipolar order; great powers in security competition which is above ideology; A unipolar structure cannot be realistic, because
under unipolarity there is no security competition between great powers.

** Ideological**: Unipolar order, where the leading superpower (the hegemon) has a universalist ideology and assumes its core values and political system should be exported to other countries, as would be the case with a liberal (human/individual rights) or Communist (class struggle) superpower.

Agnostic: Unipolar order, in which the leading superpower (the hegemon) does not have a universalist ideology; does not seek to shape local politics on a global scale and is more tolerant and pragmatic in relations with other states

Question 6

Mearscheimer breadth and depth of institutions

Answer 6

Thick: A robust order of institutions that have significant effect on the
behavior of states in both the economic and military domains.

Thin: Can take three forms:
1) Either institutions in the military or economic
domain, but not both;
2) Maybe both domains, but via weak institutions;
3) Maybe both, but then only strong institutions in one domain

Question 7

Mearscheimer’s International Orders

Answer 7

Realistic
Agnostic
Ideologival order

Question 8

Mearscheimer realistic order

Answer 8

Bi- or multipolarity, collapses when the underlying balance of power fundamentally changes. If bipolarity or multipolarity gives way to unipolarity, the new order will be either agnostic or ideological (not realistic, since there is no security competition between great powers), depending on whether the
single pole commits itself to a universalist ideology.

Question 9

Mearscheimers agnostic order

Answer 9

Tends to have considerable stamina because the unipole accepts the heterogeneity inherent in political and social life and does not try to control the politics of all other states.

Question 10

Mearscheimer’s ideologival order

Answer 10

In contrast, any ideological international order based on a universalist ideology is destined to have a short lifespan, mainly because of the domestic and global difficulties that arise when the unipole seeks to recreate the world in its own image. Nationalism and balance of power politics will undermine the necessary social engineering.

Question 11

Mearcheimer Liveral International Order

Answer 11

Liberal Institutionalism
* Peace through international institutions.
* Countries coordinate interests via rules, shared knowledge, and cooperation.
* This reduces conflict and costs, but may require giving up some national sovereignty.

Economic Interdependence
* Peace through trade and economic ties.
* When countries depend on each other economically, they compete in markets, not on battlefields.

Democratic Peace Theory
* Democracies are less likely to fight each other.
* Shared values and slow decision-making allow for peaceful conflict resolution and diplomacy.

Question 12

Ginsburg definition of democracies

Answer 12

A government can fall, but democracy can survive

Democratic governments are accountable to all people

Democracies use international law to support democracy worldwide

Support includes human rights, participation, and fair elections

Question 13

Ginsberg definition of autocracies

Answer 13

The fate of the government is tied to the regime

Power serves a select elite

International law is used to support autocracy

Suppresses democratic rights

Question 14

Trofimov aspect of China and the International Order

Answer 14

1. After the Soviet Union’s fall, it was expected for the UN to advocate for human rights.
2. China senses that it there time to influence the order.
3. They influence the order by representing different institutions. Right now they represent four of them.

Question 15

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Mazaar’s perspective on strategic comptetion with China

Answer 15

1. Military Competition
* China avoids war and conquest.
* Uses intimidation, not invasion (“gray zone” tactics).
* Military power isn’t the main arena of competition.

2. Economic Competition
* Seeks dominance in key industries (e.g., Belt and Road).
* Competes to grow stronger, not destroy others.
* Peaceful economic rivalry is possible.

3. Geopolitical Disputes
* Conflicts over Taiwan, South China Sea, and alliances.
* Important but not existential for either side.
* Room for compromise exists.

Question 16

Mazaar and power operations in two ways

Answer 16

Direct Power
– Coercion or persuasion to change others’ behavior.

Ideational Power
– Shaping perceptions, beliefs, and preferences (e.g., cultural or ideological influence).
– Example: If State A’s ideology dominates minds in State B, it wins more deeply than through force.

Question 16

Mazaar on What’s the real U.S.–China rivalry about?

Answer 16

It’s not mainly about:
Military threats
Economic competition
Territorial disputes

Those are important, but secondary.

Main issue: Legitimacy (Who sets the rules?)

The U.S. and China are competing over whose system of rules, values, and ideas should lead the world.

This is about which country has the right to lead and be followed—not just through force or money, but through influence and belief.

Question 17

**

Mazaar International Paradigm

Answer 17

Global Political Values
– Influence over ideas like democracy, human rights, and free trade.

Cultural Influence
– Who shapes global culture (e.g., through film, music, literature).

Global Rules & Norms
– Whose values define international laws and practices—and who follows them.

International Institutions
– Who holds power in global organizations (e.g., leadership roles, policy influence).

Question 18

System polarity

Answer 18

1. Unipolarity (e.g., U.S. dominance)
* One superpower = more freedom to intervene.
* In the U.S. case, interventions are weighed against other national interests.
* Example: R2P seen as a moral obligation, not just strategy.

2. Bipolarity (e.g., Cold War)
* Two superpowers = constant rivalry for credibility and balance.
* Proxy wars common, but direct war avoided due to nuclear threat.
* Interventions done for ideological and strategic balancing.

3. Multipolarity (many powers)
* Multiple great powers = focus on alliances and caution.
* Risk of counter-coalitions and nuclear escalation discourages intervention.
* Less ideological competition.
* Big powers intervene less; smaller powers may become more active.

Question 19

Andre’s PP and Intervention phases

Answer 19

1. Preventive
   diplomacy
2. Early intervention
   to end the conflict
3. Stable peace deal
   and order
   (peacekeeping
   forces?)

Question 20

Moravscik and Europe as a Nonmilitary Problem Solver

Answer 20

Europe has effectively handled major challenges (e.g., Ukraine, migration, populism, Trump-era tensions).

Success comes from nonmilitary tools, such as:
* Foreign aid
* Trade and job agreements
* Regulatory standards
* Support for international law and diplomacy